Do you feed your roos layer feed?

[ackie]

So I obviously have hens and roosters. Anyone under 4 months is penned and gets medicated chick starter, but the hens and roos are free range and all eat layer pellets (and bugs and weeds and whatever). Is this okay? If it's not okay, how would I even prevent the roos from eating it?

 

[DesertGrrl]

I wouldn't.
Layer feed will cause kidney damage and shorten a roosters life.

It's better to feed an All Flock feed instead and in a seperate container put out oyster shells for the hens.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I keep my feed bin mixed with 120lbs of All Flock Pellets, with 20lbs of Layer mixed in for the ladies. So everyone gets what they need.

 

[RevlisRemmah]

I do the All Flock for everyone and oyster shell on the side route. So far so good

 

[black_cat]

I do the All Flock for everyone and oyster shell on the side route. So far so good

If I had a flock with roos, this is what I would do.

 

[2000096904]

Wait a minute I had roosters once and I kept feeding them layer feed is this bad I did sell them off so they'll be getting better food if I was feeding them the wrong thing but I will be getting an incoming rooster and need to know something will they all flock food stop the layers from laying eggs or will it slow down protection or just keep up the laying I do have a food that's 17% layer feed and all the rest is vegetables peas and seeds including grains so will that work or do I have to buy a completely different food now.

 

[black_cat]

Wait a minute I had roosters once and I kept feeding them layer feed is this bad I did sell them off so they'll be getting better food if I was feeding them the wrong thing but I will be getting an incoming rooster and need to know something will they all flock food stop the layers from laying eggs or will it slow down protection or just keep up the laying I do have a food that's 17% layer feed and all the rest is vegetables peas and seeds including grains so will that work or do I have to buy a completely different food now.

All flock is better for roosters, because layer feed has extra calcium in it. That extra calcium is great to give hens nice, strong eggshells, but when it goes unused, it can cause organ damage over time. If you provide all flock or grower feed, everyone can eat it (hens, roos, chicks, teenagers), and you can provide oystershell on the side to give the ladies the calcium boost they need. If any birds don't need the calcium, they won't take it.

 

[ackie]

Attaching the label from the layer pellets.

 

[DesertGrrl]

Wait a minute I had roosters once and I kept feeding them layer feed is this bad I did sell them off so they'll be getting better food if I was feeding them the wrong thing but I will be getting an incoming rooster and need to know something will they all flock food stop the layers from laying eggs or will it slow down protection or just keep up the laying I do have a food that's 17% layer feed and all the rest is vegetables peas and seeds including grains so will that work or do I have to buy a completely different food now.

The extra calcium in Layer feed will cause damage to a roosters kidneys.
Just buy All Flock feed and put out oyster shells in a seperate container for the hens.

 

[ackie]

Does that also mean that hens not currently laying shouldnt be on layer feed either?